Hiking in Cortland CountyKennedy State ForestFinger Lakes Trail System

Dabes DiversionLoop

This moderate 4.1 mile circuit hike within Kennedy State Forest utilizes the whole Dabes
Diversion Trail and 1.3 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail to create
a loop. This is just one of many loop hikes possible in this forest.
This moderate loop hike does have an overall elevation gain/loss of 709 feet.

This is a popular hike in the area, however don't let that
stop you from exploring even on a weekend. On one of our visits on a nice
Saturday in June, we did not see anyone. We suggest making a visit the
Foxfire Lean To, which is located a few hundred feet west of the rock pile view
point. This is a great spot for lunch or just a break.

Park along the side of Bleck Road just past Hauck Hill Rd (see
directions below). Start your hike by entering the woods near the green
Finger Lakes Trail sign and then pass a yellow Finger Lakes Trail sign on a
tree. Your following the orange blazes of the Dabes Diversion Trail.
The Dabes Diversion Trail is part of the 900+ mile Finger Lakes Trail System.

Your descending toward a stream and will cross the stream at
0.15 miles. Now your gently climbing as you follow along the stream for
0.1 mile before veering left away from the stream. The trail continues to
climb as you cross a logging road at 0.4 miles. Do you notice the recent
logging above you on the right? The trail levels briefly. Look on
your left for quite a drop off. The trail is well worn here.

At 0.7 miles the trail begins a slight ascent, reaching the
highest point along the Dabes Diversion Trail of 1964 feet at 0.85 miles.
The trail will now descend toward the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail.
At 1.2 miles the trail passes along the remains of an old wall. At 1.4
miles the trail approaches and crosses an impressive old stone wall.

At 1.6 miles you reach the white blazes of the Finger Lakes
Trail / North Country Trail at a large rock pile. A short side trail leads
to the open field with a nice panoramic view. If your interested in
visiting the Foxfire Lean To, head west for a few hundred feet to reach the lean
to. This loop hike now heads east (left from Dabes Diversion Trail end)
following the white blazes of the FLT/NCT.

The trail descends, first following near the state forest
boundary near a stone wall and then steeply toward a stream. At 1.9 miles
the trail crosses a stream. This is the same stream you crossed earlier in
your loop hike. The trail now ascends and crosses Bleck Road. The
trail continues to climb after crossing the road.

The trail levels off briefly and soon passes the southern
terminus of the 0.7 mile Kuzia Cut Off Trail. This blue blazed trail can
be used to shorten this loop or create other loop hikes in the area. The
Kuzia Cut Off is also part of the 900+ mile Finger Lakes Trail System. The
FLT/NCT now descends and crosses rough seasonal Cortwright Road. The trail
continues to descend as you walk along a steep ravine with the stream below that
you will cross shortly.

At 2.25 cross the stream. This crossing can be tricky
during times of high water. The trail turns and follows the stream briefly
before heading further into the woods ascending. At 2.7 miles cross a
small stream. At 2.8 miles reach a blue blazed trail on your right that
leads 0.1 mile to a secluded campsite. When we visited the campsite in
June 2010, it looked a bit overgrown. The FLTC plans to take down the sign
and black out the blazes sometime in the future.

At 3.0 miles reach "Four Corners" at an old woods
road. This is where the
Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail meets the Virgil Mountain Trail
(heading east, orange blazes) and the Dabes Diversion Trail (heading west,
orange blazes). This is the center of the nine mile "figure 8" loop hike
possible in this state forest. The FLT/NCT goes straight. You will turn left here
and follow the Dabes Diversion Trail to continue this loop hike.

Your now descending down an old washed out woods road.
At 3.15 miles reach seasonal dirt O'Dell Road and cross a stream over a culvert.
At 3.25 miles reach Hauck Hill Road and turn right following this dirt road.
The dirt road straight ahead is Cortwright Road. Still following orange blazes
on the dirt road as you ascend up the rough seasonal road.

At 3.65 miles you reach the northern terminus of the 0.7 mile
blue blazed Kuzia Cut Off Trail on your left. At 3.7 miles pass a yellow
gate on your left that leads to a few primitive campsites. The road begins
to level off and the last 0.4 miles is a pleasant woods walk to your vehicle.
Reach Bleck Road and the end of this loop hike at 4.1 miles.

We have a
map, a few pictures, video and detailed description of this hike below.

Directions: From Virgil, NY --> NY 392
East, then a right on Van Donsel Road. Turn right on Bleck Road.
Just past
the intersection with Hauck Hill Rd, park on the right along the
shoulder of the road. You will see the green Finger Lakes Trail sign.
The GPS coordinates are N42 29.310 W76 10.632 for those who have a GPS devise.

Following the orange
blazes of the Dabes Diversion Loop Trail

Stone wall along the Dabes
Diversion Loop Trail

Crossing a stream on the
white blazed Finger Lakes Trail

Mile

Elevation

Description

0.0

1835 feet

From along Bleck Road at the corner of Hauck
Hill Rd. Follow the orange blazed Dabes Diversion Trail into woods.

0.15

1775 feet

Cross stream

0.4

1873 feet

Cross old logging road.

0.85

1964 feet

Highest point along Dabes Diversion Trail

1.2

1836 feet

Pass by remains of old stone wall.

1.4

1793 feet

Trail crosses over an impressive old stone
wall.

1.6

1737 feet

Reach FLT/NCT. Turn left and follow
white blazes. Straight is view. Right is Foxfire Lean To.

1.9

1540 feet

Cross stream

1.95

1573 feet

Cross dirt Bleck Road.

2.05

1610 feet

Junction of blue blazed Kuzia Cut Off Trail
on your left.

2.15

1579 feet

Cross rough seasonal dirt Cortwright Road.

2.25

1498 feet

Cross stream. Can be tricky and
dangerous crossing during high water.

2.7

1596 feet

Cross small stream.

2.8

1617 feet

Blue blazed trail on left leads 0.1 mile to a
secluded campsite (overgrown).

3.0

1670 feet

Reach "Four Corners". Turn left and
descend on the orange blazed Dabes Diversion Trail along old road.